Hillary Clinton on Environment

Secretary of State; previously Democratic Senator (NY)

Conserving biodiversity is essential to our quality of life

Q: What steps will you take to protect biological diversity?

CLINTON: Conserving biodiversity is essential to maintaining our quality of life. Healthy soils provide the foundation for agricultural productivity and help absorb carbon; wetlands soak
up floodwaters and pollutants and protect our communities; forests filter our water and keep it clean; bees and other pollinators are essential to our food supply; and coral reefs and coastal marshes are nurseries for our fisheries.
Although we have made considerable progress protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, unsustainable management practices, introduction of invasive species and other forces pose
serious threats to biodiversity and our way of life. We need to collaborate across all sectors and at all levels to conserve our natural resources and maintain the viability of our ecosystems.

Establish an American Parks Trust Fund

The 100th anniversary of our national park system is also an opportunity to re-energize America's proud land and wildlife conservation traditions. I will establish an American Parks Trust Fund to scale up and modernize how we protect and enhance our
natural treasures, and to better protect wildlife habitat across the country.

Internationally, we need greater cooperation to address declining biodiversity. My Administration will work collaboratively with other nations to advance biodiversity
science, further our understanding of the causes of biodiversity loss, and take action to diminish them. We will share information about our conservation successes, including our national parks, fish and wildlife refuge systems, and marine reserves
to aid other nations working to protect their natural resources and conserve biodiversity. And we will work collaboratively to end trafficking in wildlife and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing that threatens our oceans.

We need green energy jobs & to build on Paris Agreement

We have to combat climate change, and no state has more at stake in that than Florida. And the best way to do that is not only enforcing the laws we have, but also the clean power plan that President Obama has put forth that I support, and the
Paris Agreement that I think was a huge step forward in the world, that Senator Sanders said was too weak, but I helped to lay the groundwork for that. But we need more clean energy jobs.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic primary debate in Miami
, Mar 9, 2016

Federal takeover of Flint water supply if state can't fix it

Q: On the Flint lead poisoning disaster, you have been critical of Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan, and how the state caused the lead poisoning problem, and has not acted fast enough to fix it. If the state is failing, would you as President order a
federal response?

CLINTON: Absolutely. This is an emergency. Every day that goes by that these people, particularly children, are not tested so we can know what steps must be taken to remediate the effects of the poisoning that they
have been living with is a day lost. We need to be clear about everything that should be done to try to remedy the terrible burden that the people of Flint are bearing. If Michigan won't do it, there have to be ways that we can
begin to move, and then make them pay for it, and hold them accountable.

SANDERS: I think the Secretary described the situation appropriately. I did ask for the resignation of Governor Snyder because his irresponsibility was so outrageous.

FactCheck: No, Hillary didn't grant eminent domain to China

Claim: Secretary of State Clinton agreed to allow China to exercise "eminent domain" as collateral for American debt.

Conclusion: FALSE

Example: ˇ"The USA has tendered a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to
exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continued purchase of US Treasury Notes! The US Embassy in Beijing CONFIRM the formal written agreement was delivered by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent trip to China.

Fact Check: The idea of enacting eminent domain as a form of debt repayment isn't logical, because eminent domain requires payment. It's akin to a debtor's offering to settle a $5,000 debt by agreeing to sell his creditor $5,000 worth of jewelry for
$5,000: the creditor still hasn't collected anything on his original loan amount. Also, the common sense test applies: this would be the biggest new story of the day. So who is reporting this news? Not any legitimate news outlet--only blogs.

$5B for green-collar jobs in economic stimulus package

EDWARDS [to Clinton]: One difference between what I have proposed & what my two colleagues have proposed is I have done something that not only stimulates the economy, but creates long-term benefits, investment in green infrastructure, which creates jobs

CLINTON: I do believe that the green-collar job piece of [the economic stimulus package] is important. Thatís why I have $5 billion to do it. There are programs already. In Oakland CA, Mayor Dellums is working to have a green-collar job program.
We could put hundreds and hundreds of young people to work right now, putting solar panels in, insulating homes. That would give them jobs and it would move us more quickly to a green economy.
And I think that if you look at this from a jobs and justice, a stimulation and long-term planning effort, we need to lay down the markers now. Weíve got to hold the line against President Bush with his ill-advised approach to stimulating the economy.

Voted against and consistently opposed to Yucca Mountain

I voted against Yucca Mountain in 2001. I have been consistently against Yucca Mountain, looking at all the reasons why Yucca Mountain is not workable. The science does not support it. We do have to figure out what to do with nuclear waste. I have
consistently and persistently been against Yucca Mountain, and I will make sure it does not come into effect when Iím president.

Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas
, Jan 15, 2008

A comprehensive energy plan as our Apollo moon shot

I have a comprehensive energy plan that does not rely on nuclear power. I have said we should not be siting any more coal-powered plants unless they can have the most modern, clean technology. I want big demonstration projects to figure out how
we would capture and sequester carbon. This is going to take a massive effort. This should be our Apollo moon shot. Thereís work for everybody to do--the states, communities and individuals. Thatís what I want to summon the country to achieve.

Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas
, Jan 15, 2008

Advocate a cap and trade system

I advocate a cap and trade system. What the auction of pollution permits is taking that money and invest in new technologies, new ways of getting to our objectives that Iíve outline inside my energy plan. I want to use some of it to cushion the costs tha
will come on to the US consumer. Itís not just enough to tackle global warming, weíve got to enlist the help of the next generation. My fifth grade teacher said it was to study math and science, but it gave me an idea of contributing to my country.

Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate
, Dec 13, 2007

Better track kidsí products for exposures to toxic materials

Q: Toxic chemicals that lace many toys and other products sold in America cause cancer, birth defects and genetic damage. Unlike the European Union, the US does nothing to limit the use of these agents and does not require that the toxic ingredients are
listed. What changes will you make, or is this an over-reaction?

A: We donít do anywhere near enough to try to prevent dangerous materials and products from coming into our country. We donít even do enough of it within our own country.
We have totally turned our back on the information that is available to try to better track the impact on children and others of these kinds of exposures to toxic materials. So, number one, we need tougher standards across the board, something
Iíve been advocating for years. Number two, it should be especially applied to any kind of imports, and that requires going and making sure that we have inspectors on the ground and we have tough standards and we exercise recalls.

Support green-collar job training

Q: What policies would you implement to make businesses invest in energy-efficient technologies?

A: I have supported a green building fund and green-collar job training with the
AFL-CIO that will put a lot of people too work. And itís important that we do this, because we can create millions of new jobs.

Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum
, Aug 8, 2007

Put someone in charge of Katrina recovery who actually cares

Q: Itís been nearly two years now since Hurricane Katrina. What is the first thing you would do as president to improve the recovery in New Orleans?

A: Well, the first thing I would do is put somebody in charge who actually cared about the people of
New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and was willing to really do what it took. I outlined a 10-point plan--I canít say it in 30 seconds--but briefly it is put somebody in charge, make sure that the
White House has a system where that person reports to the president, which is what I would expect every single day. And my questions [to the person in charge] would be: What have you done to get the hospitals open? What have you done to get people
to move back? What have you done to make sure the levees are strong enough to withstand whatever might come next? Weíve got to recognize rebuilding New Orleans is an American problem, not a New Orleans or Louisiana problem alone.

Overcome almost criminal indifference to Katrina rebuilding

Q: Would you support a federal law guaranteeing the right to return to New Orleans and other Gulf regions devastated by Hurricane Katrina?

KUCINICH: Absolutely. The aftermath underscores everything thatís wrong in this country about race.

GRAVEL:
Yes.

CLINTON: I have proposed a 10-point Gulf Coast Recovery Agenda, because itís sort of as a chicken and an egg issue. First, weíve got to get the hospitals back up, [then] the law enforcement and the fire departments. This administration has
basically neglected with almost criminal indifference the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast, in particular New Orleans and the parishes. Even if we were to give people a right, there is nothing to return to. We have got to rebuild New Orleans,
and itís not only the protection from the levees, it is all the infrastructure.

EDWARDS: This is an issue I care about personally and deeply.

OBAMA: Halliburton or Bechtel getting the contracts to rebuild is a further compounding of the outrage.

Launched EPA study of air quality at Ground Zero

Hillary found her September 11 issue. Workers had worked literally around the clock at Ground Zero, and many complained about hazardous conditions. Hillary began lobbying to persuade Congress to approve money to monitor how the air around Ground
Zero affected the lungs of recovery workers. She hired one of the leading experts on occupational hazards, Dr. William Rom. Rom proved that pieces of glass, asbestos fibers, and fly ash had gotten into the lungs of rescue workers. His findings enabled
Hillary to land more cooperation from the White House and EPA. Eventually, research revealed that almost 70% of those who worked at Ground Zero had developed lung ailments.

Taking on the air-quality problem was a brilliant move. She successfully carved
out a post-September 11 issue that played to her strengths while also meeting the needs of her constituents. Along the way it also created some space between her and the Bush administration and an opportunity to return to the base of her party.

Stands for clean air and funding the EPA

I have worked on behalf of childrenís health and the environment, Iíve stood for clean air and worked in the administration to deal with problems from asthma to trying to figure out the possible environmental causes and correlations with breast cancer,
but my opponent, on the other hand, stood against funding the EPA to the extent that was needed to do the job thatís required, was in the forefront of so-called regulatory reform, which would have gutted our environmental bills.

Source: Clinton-Lazio debate, Buffalo NY
, Sep 13, 2000

Reduce air pollution to improve childrenís health

Poor air quality has been linked to many respiratory ailments, including asthma. Thatís why last summer the President announced. new standards for smog and soot [which] will safeguard millions of Americans in urban areas, including 35
million children, from the adverse health effects of breathing polluted air. No longer will governmental agencies set air, water or food quality standards without taking the special threat to children into consideration.

Source: ďTalking It OverĒ column
, Jun 10, 1998

Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations.

A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 15, 2005, relating to the removal of coal- and oil-fired electric generating units from the list of major sources of hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule:

Limits smokestack emissions in a two-phase program founded on a market based capping system

Calls for the first cap to limit mercury emissions to 38 tons in 2010

Requires the second and final cap to begin in 2018 and stay fix at 15 tons

Remove PCBs from Hudson River by dredging 200 miles.

Clinton signed a letter to EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman:

Dear Administrator Whitman:

We would like to convey our strong support for EPAís proposal to remove sediment contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the ďhot spotsĒ in the upper Hudson River. This clean-up plan is a crucial first step towards restoring the Hudsonís tremendous social, ecological, and economic value for the people of NY and NJ.

The Hudson River has been designated as an American Heritage River. Unfortunately, since 1983, 200 miles of the Hudson have also been designated as a Superfund site due to the damage caused by the estimated 1.3 million pounds of PCBs released by General Electric Company.

PCBs pose a serious threat to public health; they are probable human carcinogens and are known to cause neurological, reproductive, and endocrine disorders. Since 1976, because of PCB contamination, women of childbearing age and children [have been advised] not to eat any fish from any location along the Hudson.
Unfortunately, low-income and subsistence fishermen and their families continue to consume fish contaminated with PCBs.

This contamination also adversely impacts longstanding commercial, recreational, and cultural activities on the Hudson River. For example, the commercial striped bass fishery was once a $40 million a year industry. However, due to PCB contamination, the state closed the fishery in 1976, all but ending a way of life along the river.

Environmental dredging in the Hudson will allow future dredging to ensure commercial craft continue to ply the waters of the upper Hudson River, and reduce the adverse affects of PCBs on the aquatic ecosystem. This means EPAís remediation plan is a critical first step in reducing threats to public health, reviving local economies, reopening recreational opportunities and reinvigorating cultural ties along the river.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental movement and the only organization devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House. We run tough and effective campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support those leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy future for America. Through our National Environmental Scorecard and Presidential Report Card we hold Congress and the Administration accountable for their actions on the environment. Through regional offices, we build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders.
The 2003 National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the environmental voting records of all Members of the first session of the 108th Congress. This Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which Members of Congress should be graded. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including environmental health and safety protections, resource conservation, and spending for environmental programs. Scores are calculated by dividing the number of pro-environment votes by the total number of votes scored. The votes included in this Scorecard presented Members of Congress with a real choice on protecting the environment and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. Except in rare circumstances, the Scorecard excludes consensus action on the environment and issues on which no recorded votes occurred.

EPA must do better on mercury clean-up.

Clinton signed a letter from 45 Senators to EPA

To: Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Dear Administrator Leavitt:

We are writing to urge you to take prompt and effective action to clean up mercury pollution from power plants. The EPAís current proposals on mercury fall far short of what the law requires, and they fail to protect the health of our children and our environment. We ask you to carry out the requirements of the Clean Air Act to protect our nation from toxic mercury contamination.

On January 30, 2004, EPA proposed two alternative rules to address mercury emissions. Unfortunately, both of these proposals fail to meet the Clean Air Act directives for cleaning up mercury. EPA's proposals permit far more mercury pollution, and for years longer, than the Clean Air Act allows.

The toxicity of mercury has been proven time and again by scientists around the world. The Agency's own scientists just released a study finding that approximately 630,000 infants were born in the US in the 12-month period,
1999-2000, with blood mercury levels higher than what is considered safe. This is a doubling of previous estimates.

The newest scientific studies show that controlling mercury emissions works. As we saw in Florida, sharp reductions in mercury pollution are mirrored by reductions in nearby fish populations. A study in northern Wisconsin indicated that reductions in the input of mercury from air corresponded with marked reductions in mercury fish tissue levels in the 1990s.

As the Administrator of the EPA, you have the legal authority and the responsibility to address mercury emissions and protect public health. We do not believe that EPA's current proposals are sufficient or defensible. We urge you to withdraw the entire proposed rule package and re-propose a rule for adequate public comment that meets the terms of the 1998 settlement agreement and is promulgated by the December 15, 2004 deadline.

Sponsored bill for tax credit to remove lead-based paint.

Clinton sponsored giving tax credit to remove lead-based housepaint

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: Allows a tax credit for 50% of the costs of reducing lead hazards in U.S. homes built before 1960 in which certain low-income children less than six years of age and women of child-bearing age reside. Allows a maximum credit of $3,000 for lead abatement costs and $1,000 for the cost of interim lead control measures.

EXCERPTS OF BILL:

Congress finds that:

Of the 98 million housing units in the United States, 38 million have lead-based paint.

Of the 38 million housing units with lead-based paint, 25 million pose a hazard due to conditions such as peeling paint and settled dust on floors and windowsills that contain lead at levels above Federal safety standards.

Lead poisoning remains a serious, entirely preventable threat to a child's intelligence, behavior, and learning.

The Administration has established a national goal of ending childhood lead poisoning by 2010.

Current Federal lead abatement programs only have resources sufficient to make approximately 7,000 homes lead-safe each year.

The replacement of old windows that contain lead based paint significantly reduces lead poisoning hazards in addition to producing significant energy savings.

Childhood lead poisoning can be dramatically reduced by the abatement or complete removal of all lead-based paint.

There shall be allowed as a tax credit, an amount equal to 50% of the lead hazard reduction activity cost paid, up to $1,000 per year for certain activities and $3,000 per year for other activities.

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Referred to Senate Committee on Finance; never came to a vote.

Sponsored bill for commission to examine Katrina response.

Clinton sponsored establishing commission to examine Katrina response

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: To establish a congressional commission to examine the Federal, State, and local response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Region, especially in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and other areas impacted in the aftermath, and make immediate corrective measures to improve such responses in the future.

EXCERPTS OF AMENDMENT:

There is established in the legislative branch the Katrina Commission:

The Commission shall be composed of 10 members, with not more than 5 members from any one political party.

Individuals appointed should enjoy significant depth of experience in such professions as natural disaster and emergency response experience.

The duties of the Commission are to ascertain, evaluate, and report on the information developed by all relevant governmental agencies regarding the facts and circumstances related to
Hurricane Katrina prior to striking the United States and in the days and weeks following;

an analysis as to whether any decisions differed with respect to response and recovery for different communities, neighborhoods, parishes, and locations and what problems occurred as a result of a lack of a common plan, communication structure, and centralized command structure; and

make recommendations for immediate corrective measures so that future cataclysmic events are responded to adequately.

Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health.

OnTheIssues.org Explanation: A classic 1980s study demonstrated that poor neighborhoods are burdened with more environmental hazards than rich neighborhoods. The 1980s study established the field of "environmental justice"; this bill addresses environmental justice and health justice.

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: A bill to require health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.

SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Sen. OBAMA: The Healthy Places Act of 2006 focuses on the built environment, which includes our homes, parks, and transportation systems. Like many other States, Illinois has already begun to take steps to improve the environment. City leaders in Chicago have recognized that many low-income families have no access to fresh foods and medicine because there are no grocery
stores and pharmacies in their neighborhoods. Retail Chicago, an initiative of the city's Department of Planning and Development, is now using redevelopment funds to entice local developers to bring grocery stores and pharmacies into these neighborhoods.

The Healthy Places Act of 2006 would expand these and other efforts to improve the planning and design of communities that can promote healthier living. It establishes and supports health impact assessment programs; better addressing environmental health issues; and creating a grant program to address environmental health hazards, particularly those that contribute to health disparities. Finally, the Healthy Places Act provides additional support for research on the relationship between the built environment and the health status of residents.

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; never came to a vote.

Grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act.

Clinton co-sponsored grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act

Beach Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to include among eligible grant activities the development and implementation of programs for source tracking, sanitary surveys, and prevention efforts to address the identified sources of beach water pollution.
Requires grant recipients to identify:

the use of a rapid testing method;

measures for communication within 24 hours of the results of a water sample concerning pollutants to specified officials with authority to require the prevention or treatment of the sources of beach water pollution;

measures to develop and implement a beach water pollution source identification and tracking program for the coastal recreation waters that are not meeting applicable water quality standards for pathogens; and

a publicly accessible and searchable global information system database with information updated within 24 hours of its availability, organized by beach and with defined standards, sampling plan, monitoring protocols, sampling results, and number and cause of beach closing and advisory days.

Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources.

Clinton co-sponsored inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources

A joint resolution expressing the approval of Congress to an inter-state compact regarding water resources. In the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact the Congress finds that:

The Waters of the Basin are precious public natural resources shared and held in trust by the States;

The Waters of the Basin are interconnected and part of a single hydrologic system;

The Waters of the Basin can concurrently serve multiple uses. Such multiple uses include industrial, agriculture, mining, navigation, energy development and production, recreation, and the maintenance of fish and wildlife habitat.

Future Diversions and Consumptive Uses of Basin Water resources have the potential to significantly impact the environment and economy.

Purposes of the inter-state compact: To act together to protect, conserve, restore, improve and effectively manage the Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources of the Basin under appropriate arrangements for intergovernmental cooperation and consultation;

To remove causes of present and future controversies;

To promote interstate and State-Provincial comity; and,

To promote an Adaptive Management approach to the conservation and management of Basin Water resources, which provides adjustments for the uncertainties in scientific knowledge concerning the Basin's Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources.

Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting.

Sen. CANTWELL. I reintroduce today the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007. This legislation has won the unanimous approval of the Senate several times, but unfortunately has not yet reached the finish line.

There is no doubt, animal fighting is terribly cruel. Dogs and roosters are drugged to make them hyper-aggressive and forced to keep fighting even after suffering severe injuries such as punctured eyes and pierced lungs. It's all done for "entertainment" and illegal gambling. Some dogfighters steal pets to use as bait for training their dogs, while others allow trained fighting dogs to roam neighborhoods and endanger the public.

The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act will strengthen current law by making the interstate transport of animals for the purpose of fighting a felony and increase the punishment to three years of jail time. This is necessary because the current misdemeanor penalty has proven ineffective--considered a "cost of doing business"
by those in the animal fighting industry which continues unabated nationwide.

These enterprises depend on interstate commerce, as evidenced by the animal fighting magazines that advertise and promote them. Our bill also makes it a felony to move cockfighting implements in interstate or foreign commerce. These are razor-sharp knives known as "slashers" and ice pick-like gaffs designed exclusively for cockfights and attached to the birds' legs for fighting.

This is long overdue legislation. It's time to get this felony animal fighting language enacted. It's time for Congress to strengthen the federal law so that it can provide as a meaningful deterrent against animal fighting. Our legislation does not expand the federal government's reach into a new area, but simply aims to make current law more effective. It is explicitly limited to interstate and foreign commerce, so it protects states' rights in the two states where cockfighting is still allowed.